Eisai Licenses Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) To Radius

Main Category: Endocrinology
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 05 Jul 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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Eisai announced June 29 that it signed a license agreement with Radius Health, headquartered in Massachusetts, for the use of Eisai's new class of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM).

Radius plans to develop the compound as a new therapeutic drug for osteoporosis and malaise such as hot flashes associated with post-menopausal disorders, etc.

As a part of the agreement, Eisai granted Radius an exclusive license to research, develop, manufacture and sell the compound worldwide, outside of Japan. Eisai will maintain the same rights in Japan.

The compound is currently in a stage of preclinical development and Radius will carry out the development of the compound in the licensed territory.

Under the terms of the agreement, Eisai will receive up-front payment, milestone payments and royalties.

The compound is expected to have a curative effect on osteoporosis. At the same time, the new molecular entity is considered to have fewer deleterious peripheral side effects associated with estrogen-like activity.

The compound is also expected to provide relief from symptoms such as hot flashes seen at the post-menopausal disorders unlike the currently approved SERMs.

Radius is a bio venture company specializing in pharmaceutical development in the gynecological field. In Europe and the U.S. where estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is commonly applied for the treatment of menopausal disorders and postmenopausal osteoporosis, Eisai expects to contiribute to the further creation of patients' value through the license to Radius.

By Chris Lui, JCN Staff Writer

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